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Romans 12:2 - Transformation: Glimpses into How It Is Done.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (HCSB) Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

INTRODUCTION

   God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him and to serve others in the name of Jesus. Because he wants only what is best for us and because he gave his Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices in his service.
   Paul warned Christians about following the selfish and corrupt patterns of this fallen world. Many Christians wisely decide that a large portion of the world's behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs - it must be firmly planted in the values rooted in our minds: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." It is possible, however, to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed (see 8: 5). [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I recently looked through my reading list and was surprised at how many World War 11-era novels I've read in recent years. Some of them focused on organized resistance movements by people whose country had been invaded by Germany. A few told the stories of British and American citizens who willingly risked their lives by going to France to serve as spies or help sabotage the Nazi army's attacks on Allied forces. These stories of courage in the face of extreme danger made me wonder if I could be that brave and self-sacrificing if I were called to step up in such a time.
   The next week I read a quote from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis that helped me understand that this is such a time: "Enemy-occupied territory - that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage."
   As a follower of Jesus, I'm called to become like Him (1 John 2:6). That means I HAVE TO RESIST LETTING OTHER PEOPLE OR OUR CULTURE INFLUENCE ME IN WAYS THAT GO AGAINST MY KING'S INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLE. This perspective HAS MADE ME MORE COMMITTED TO PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY, AND OBEDIENCE. My mission as a resistance fighter in Christ's kingdom is to follow His example as summed up in Romans 12:21 (NET): "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Dianne Neal Matthews
   Faith Step: Make your own personalized resistance plan to help you live more like Jesus. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

COMMENTARY

You must remember that your will is the spring of all your actions. This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man. But the infinite sacrifice of God in giving Jesus, His beloved Son, to become a sacrifice for sin, enables Him to say, without violating one principle of His government: "Yield yourself up to Me; give Me that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure." When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His will, and your character is transformed to be like Christ's character. Is it your purpose to do God's will? Do you wish to obey the Scriptures? "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." 5T515

We cannot make ourselves pure, fit for God's service. But we can choose to serve God, we can give Him our will; then He will work in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus our whole nature will be brought under the control of Christ.... By yielding up the will to Christ, we ally ourselves with divine power. We receive strength from above to hold us steadfast. A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to everyone who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God. MH 176, 177

The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God.... ML6

One who engages in the work of helping and blessing others is being transformed by the renewing of his mind, being a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ST 08-22-78

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

As a follower of Jesus, I'm called to become like Him (1 John 2:6). That means I HAVE TO RESIST LETTING OTHER PEOPLE OR OUR CULTURE INFLUENCE ME IN WAYS THAT GO AGAINST MY KING'S INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLE. This perspective HAS MADE ME MORE COMMITTED TO PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY, AND OBEDIENCE. My mission as a resistance fighter in Christ's kingdom is to follow His example as summed up in Romans 12:21 (NET): "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Dianne Neal Matthews

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Romans 12:2 - Transformation: Glimpses Into How It Is Done.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250220-1548.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240405-0931.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230519-1055.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220201-0851.html

2 Corinthians 3:18 - More and More Like Jesus!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240225-0819.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/